Insurance Law

Our insurance attorneys find coverage after others have been unsuccessful in doing so. Our innovative theories and analysis have helped our clients, from individuals to Fortune 500 companies, obtain much-needed policy benefits. Many clients have avoided bankruptcy or other financial disaster because we were able to convince their insurers to provide the coverage owed.

We represent policyholders (individuals and businesses, including multi-national publicly-traded companies and public entities) in insurance coverage and bad faith matters. With the exception of legal services occasionally provided to title insurers, the Firm handles litigated and non-litigated matters exclusively on behalf of policyholders, to avoid conflicts of interest.

All too often, insurers receiving valid requests for coverage will look for reasons to deny coverage. They may request additional unnecessary information to evade obligations imposed by the policies and law, or they may simply deny coverage outright without a reasonable investigation. Other insurers may send lengthy letters with a laundry list of grounds for denial, without acknowledging other provisions that support coverage. Claims for employer liability, shareholder and class actions, commercial litigation, unfair competition claims, construction litigation, environmental claims, mixed claims of negligence and intentional conduct, and claims made by borrowers or investors are the types of claims frequently summarily denied by insurers.

Policyholders already concerned and fearful about the losses they have suffered, or the lawsuit they are facing, may not recognize their rights under their policies or California law. California has literally thousands of published decisions relating to insurance policy interpretation and insurance bad faith, and many that are favorable to coverage are ignored by insurers. Policyholders or their litigation counsel unable to gain the benefits of the insuring agreement regularly seek our expertise to obtain coverage or resolve coverage issues. Our daily experience with coverage issues frequently identified by insurers, our long-standing relationships developed with insurers and their counsel, and our proven track record combine to foster resolution of insurance disputes, usually without need for litigation.

When litigation is appropriate and necessary, we use our substantial expertise to pursue breach of contract and bad faith claims in state and federal courts. We have established substantial precedent in California on behalf of policyholders and have successfully tried insurance bad faith cases to verdict, resulting in millions of dollars obtained on behalf of the firm's clients.

If you use a computer or cell phone, watch television, follow a Bay Area sports team, drink a glass of wine, or pay a loan, you are likely interacting with a client we have successfully assisted.

The Insurance Law group's services include:

Policy Coverage and Duty to Defend Analysis, Strategy and Advice

Bad Faith Litigation for Policyholders

Representation of Policyholders in Coverage Actions and Policy Investigations including Examinations under Oath

Advice and Counsel Concerning Purchasing/Negotiating Coverage

Advice and Counsel on Submitting a Claim to the Insurer

Specialization and Experience in:

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance claims

Employment Practices Liability Insurance claims

Errors & Omissions/Professional Liability Insurance claims

Crime/Employee Dishonesty/Fidelity Bond claims

Commercial General Liability and Umbrella/Excess Liability claims

Trademark, Copyright and Patent Coverage claims

Cyber/Technology and Privacy Coverage claims

Products Liability Insurance claims

Environmental Liability claims

Construction Liability claims

Advertising Injury Liability claims

First Party Property Loss claims and associated Litigation

Inland Marine Coverage claims

Homeowners Insurance

Recall Insurance

Performance and Other Bonds

WRAP Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Medical Insurance

Automobile Insurance

Environmental Impairment Insurance

Various Manuscripted Policies

Contact our Insurance Group to learn more, or to discuss your insurance problem.

The information contained on these pages and on any pages linked from these pages is intended to provide general information only and not legal advice. You should consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction before relying upon any of the information presented here. Sending an e-mail to or viewing information from this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.